Automatic taking-out method and device for packaged contents

ABSTRACT

An automatic taking-out device is configured by providing a package holding unit that holds the package; a cutting unit that cuts the two packaging sheet materials of the package in a held state in two cutting spots that are respectively present between the joining portions and the contents and that face each other with the contents therebetween; a pair of suction units that respectively suction and hold the two packaging sheet materials inside the two cutting spots; a driving unit that moves at least one of the suction units in a direction separated from the contents; and an inclining unit that inclines the two packaging sheet materials inside the two cutting spots and the contents in a state where a positional deviation in an up-down direction occurs with respect to the two cutting spots, and drops the contents out of the two packaging sheet materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to JapanesePatent Application No. 2014-095271, filed on May 2, 2014. The aboveapplication is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in itsentirety, into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of automatically taking outcontents from a package formed by the contents being contained in abag-shaped packaging sheet material.

Additionally, the present invention relates to a device for carrying outsuch a method.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, there have been known so-called strip packages (SP)formed by contents (packaged object) being stored therein, for example,using laminate films formed by superposing aluminum foil sheets,thermoplastic high polymer films, or the like, as packaging sheetmaterials. Packages formed by contents being disposed between twopackaging sheet materials and the packaging sheet materials being joinedto each other around contents without being limited to the SP have beenwidely provided for practical use.

In many cases, this type of package is loaded into devices using thecontents thereof and is handled for the processing of taking out thecontents. As devices that take out contents from such a package, forexample, devices described in JP2001-261015A, JP2002-059912A, andJP1998-194251A (JP-H10-194251A) have been known in the related art.

An opening device, which is adapted to draw out contents from an openingspot to the outside of two packaging sheet materials storing thecontents using nip rolls after the packaging sheet materials made into abag shape is cut and opened in one spot, is disclosed in JP2001-261015A.

An opening device, which is adapted to tear off one opened packagingsheet material storing plate-like contents from the contents after thepackaging sheet material is cut and opened in three directions, isdisclosed in JP2002-059912A.

An opening device, which is adapted to rock a bag-shaped packaging sheetmaterial storing contents on an inclined chute and drop the contentsfrom an opening spot to the outside of the packaging sheet materialafter the packaging sheet material is cut and opened in one spot, isdisclosed in JP1998-194251A (JP-H10-194251A).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the device disclosed in JP2001-261015A, it is confirmed thata poor taking-out situation occurs due to the contents being stuck in agap between the nip rolls for drawing out the contents and due todegradation of the nip rolls.

Additionally, in the device disclosed in JP2002-059912A, a process ofmanually taking out the contents (stainless plate) is assumed. Since theprocess requiring manpower is present in the device, it is impossible tototally automatically take out the contents from the package.

Additionally, in the device disclosed in JP1998-194251A(JP-H10-194251A), it is confirmed that, as wrinkles are generated in thepackaging sheet material after opening, dropping of the contents ishindered and a poor taking-out situation is apt to occur.

The invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and anobject thereof is to provide a method capable of automatically andreliably taking out contents from a package formed by the contents beingstored in bag-shaped packaging sheet materials.

Additionally, another object of the invention is to provide a devicecapable of carrying out the method as described above.

The automatic taking-out method for packaged contents according to theinvention is an automatic taking-out method for packaged contents ofautomatically taking out contents from a package formed by the contentsto be packaged being disposed between two packaging sheet materials andthe two packaging sheet materials being joined to each other around thecontents. The automatic taking-out method includes a step of holding thepackage in a state where the two packaging sheet materials are locatedup and down with respect to each other; a step of cutting the twopackaging sheet materials in two cutting spots that are respectivelypresent between the joining portions and the contents and that face eachother with the contents therebetween; a step of moving at least one ofsuction units in a direction separated from the contents and increasinga distance between the two packaging sheet materials after the twopackaging sheet materials inside (that is, the central side of thepackaging sheet materials where the contents is present) the two cuttingspots are respectively suctioned and held by the suction units; and astep of inclining the two packaging sheet materials inside the twocutting spots and the contents in a state where a positional deviationin an up-down direction, that is, a vertical direction, occurs withrespect to the two cutting spots, and dropping and taking the contentsout of the two packaging sheet materials.

In addition, the above expression “the packaging sheet materials beingjoined to each other around the contents” means that packaging sheetmaterials are joined together so as to surround the contents outside anouter edge of the contents.

It is desirable that the automatic taking-out method for packagedcontents according to the invention having the above configurationfurther includes a step of pushing out the contents in a drop directionwhen the contents is dropped.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out method forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a step ofpressing the two packaging sheet materials from above and below to fixthe two packaging sheet materials and the contents between the twopackaging sheet materials when the cutting is performed.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out method forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a step offixing the portions of at least one of the two packaging sheetmaterials, which are present outside the two cutting spots when thecutting is performed.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out method forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a step ofsending the portions of the two packaging sheet materials outside thetwo cutting spots to a disposal position and disposing of the portionsafter the cutting is performed.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out method forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a step ofsending the portions of the two packaging sheet materials inside the twocutting spots to a disposal position and disposing of the portions afterthe contents is dropped and taken out.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out method forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a step oftransferring the contents taken out of the two packaging sheet materialsin a predetermined posture.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out method for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that the cutting spots havea shape resembling the shape of the joining portions of the packagingsheet materials, that is, a shape along the shape of inner end edges ofthe joining portions.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out method for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that a plurality of thesuction units are used for one packaging sheet material.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out method for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that a suction unit in whicha major axis of a suction surface extends along a cutting direction ofthe cutting spots is used as the suction unit. In addition, the aboveexpression “a cutting direction of the cutting spots” means that themajor axis of the suction surface becomes parallel to the cutting spots,for example, when the cutting spots have one linear shape.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out method for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is preferable that a plate-shaped packagein which the contents has flat surfaces, respectively, on one side andon the other side of the two packaging sheet materials is used as atarget to be handled.

Meanwhile, the automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to the invention is an automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents that automatically takes out contents from a packageformed by the contents to be packaged being disposed between twopackaging sheet materials and the two packaging sheet materials beingjoined to each other around the contents. The automatic taking-outdevice includes a package holding unit that holds the package in a statewhere the two packaging sheet materials are located up and down withrespect to each other; a cutting unit that cuts the two packaging sheetmaterials of the package in a held state in two cutting spots that arerespectively present between the joining portions and the contents andthat face each other with the contents therebetween; a pair of suctionunits that respectively suction and hold the two packaging sheetmaterials inside the two cutting spots; a driving unit that moves atleast one of the pair of suction units in a direction separated from thecontents; and an inclining unit that inclines the two packaging sheetmaterials inside the two cutting spots and the contents in a state wherea positional deviation in an up-down direction occurs with respect tothe two cutting spots, and drops and takes the contents out of the twopackaging sheet materials.

It is desirable that the automatic taking-out device for packagedcontents according to the invention having the above configurationfurther includes a drop assisting unit that pushes the contents in adirection toward a lower cutting spot from an upper cutting spot whenthe two packaging sheet materials and the contents is inclined by theinclining unit.

As such a drop assisting unit, for example, a drop assisting unitconfigured to push the contents with an air jet stream or a dropassisting unit configured to push the contents using a pusher thatreciprocates can be suitably used.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a packagefixing unit that presses the two packaging sheet materials from aboveand below to fix the two packaging sheet materials and the contentsbetween the two packaging sheet materials when the cutting using thecutting unit is performed.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes apackaging sheet material fixing unit that fixes the portions of at leastone of the two packaging sheet materials, which are present outside thetwo cutting spots when the cutting is performed.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a sheetmaterial end portion disposal unit that sends the portions of the twopackaging sheet materials outside the two cutting spots to a disposalposition and disposes of the portions after the cutting is performed.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a sheetmaterial central portion disposal unit that sends the portions of thetwo packaging sheet materials inside the two cutting spots to a disposalposition, and disposes of the portions after the contents falls out ofthe two packaging sheet materials.

Additionally, it is desirable that the automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to the invention further includes a contentstransfer unit that transfers the contents taken out of the two packagingsheet materials in a predetermined posture.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that the cutting unit isconfigured so as to perform the cutting in cutting spots having a shaperesembling the shape of the joining portions of the packaging sheetmaterials.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that the cutting unit is acutting unit having a saw blade shape.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that a plurality of thesuction units are provided for one packaging sheet material.

Also, it is desirable that the plurality of such suction units arearranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to a cutting directionof the cutting spots. In addition, the “direction orthogonal” alsoincludes the case of being substantially orthogonal where an angleslightly deviates from being completely orthogonal (for example, a linesegment connecting the centers of outermost suction units is about ±10degrees with respect to the above “direction orthogonal” if definedaccording to an angle), in addition to the case of being completelyorthogonal.

Additionally, in the automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to the invention, it is desirable that the suction unit is asuction unit in which a major axis of a suction surface extends along acutting direction of the cutting spots.

Since the automatic taking-out method for packaged contents according tothe invention includes the step of holding the package in a state wherethe two packaging sheet materials are located up and down with respectto each other; the step of cutting the two packaging sheet materials inthe two cutting spots that are respectively present between the joiningportions and the contents and that face each other with the contentstherebetween; the step of moving at least one of suction units in thedirection separated from the contents and increasing the distancebetween the two packaging sheet materials after the two packaging sheetmaterials inside the two cutting spots are respectively suctioned andheld by the suction units; and the step of inclining the two packagingsheet materials inside the two cutting spots and the contents in a statewhere a positional deviation in the up-down direction occurs withrespect to the two cutting spots, and dropping and taking the contentsout of the two packaging sheet materials, it is possible to reliablydrop the contents from between the two packaging sheet materials betweenwhich the distance is increased, and to automatically and stably takethe contents out of the packaging sheet materials to the outside.

Meanwhile, since the automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to the invention includes the package holding unit that holdsthe package in a state where the two packaging sheet materials arelocated up and down with respect to each other; the cutting unit thatcuts the two packaging sheet materials of the package in a held state inthe two cutting spots that are respectively present between the joiningportions and the contents and that face each other with the contentstherebetween; the pair of suction units that respectively suction andhold the two packaging sheet materials inside the two cutting spots; thedriving unit that moves at least one of the pair of suction units in thedirection separated from the contents; and the inclining unit thatinclines the two packaging sheet materials inside the two cutting spotsand the contents in a state where a positional deviation in the up-downdirection occurs with respect to the two cutting spots, and drops thecontents out of the two packaging sheet materials, the method of theinvention that exhibits the above effects can be carried out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating essential portions of anautomatic taking-out device for packaged contents according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view illustrating a portion of the device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view illustrating that the portion illustratedin FIG. 2 is in another state.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view illustrating that the portion illustratedin FIG. 2 is in still another state.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view illustrating that the portion illustratedin FIG. 2 is in still another state.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a portion of a cutting unit in thedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating a lower surface shape of thecutting unit illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a partially broken perspective view illustrating a package asa target to be handled by the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating cutting processing of apackaging sheet material.

FIG. 10 is a view schematically illustrating the cutting processing ofthe packaging sheet material.

FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating the processing ofincreasing the distance between packaging sheet materials.

FIG. 12 is a view schematically illustrating the processing of incliningthe packaging sheet material and contents from a horizontal state.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically illustrating the processing of returningthe packaging sheet material to the horizontal state.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a dropassisting unit.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the dropassisting unit.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating cutting spots of the packagingsheet material to be set in the method of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a partially broken perspective view illustrating anotherexample of the package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrating essential portions of an automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to the embodiment of the invention. Asillustrated in this drawing, the present device has a fixed guide 10 asa package holding unit, and a transporting bar 20 for transporting apackage, from which automatic taking-out of contents is performed, onthe fixed guide 10.

A package to be handled by the present device is illustrated in FIG. 8as an example. That is, the package 1 is one of so-called strip packages(SP), and is formed by contents 2 being disposed between two packagingsheet materials 3 and 4 and the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 beingjoined to each other around the contents 2. In addition, the portion inwhich the joining is performed is shaded in FIG. 8. The contents 2 is,for example, a cartridge to be used for biochemical analysis, and isobtained by a predetermined reagent being carried in a carrier made ofsynthetic resins and formed in the shape of a substantially thinrectangular parallelepiped. The packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 are,for example, laminate films formed by superposing aluminum foil sheets,thermoplastic high polymer films, or the like, and joining between thesematerials is performed by heat welding. The contents 2 (hereinafterreferred to as a cartridge 2) is disposed between the packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4 in a state where a flat upper surface 2 a and a flatlower surface 2 b respectively face the packaging sheet materials 3 and4.

The fixed guide 10 has a bottom plate 11, and side plates 12 thatrespectively rise from left and right end portions of the bottom plate11. The side plates 12 are formed in the state of extending in thedirection of an arrow X in the drawing. The X direction is a horizontaldirection, and the package 1 is transported in this direction (from a −Xdirection to a +X direction). That is, a −X side is an upstream side ina transporting direction, and a +X side is a downstream side in thetransporting direction. Here, a vertical direction is defined as a Zdirection, and a horizontal direction orthogonal to the Z direction andthe X direction is defined as a Y direction. In addition, the Xdirection and the Y direction may be not a strictly horizontal directionbut may be a substantially horizontal direction. Additionally, the Zdirection may be not a strictly vertical direction but may be asubstantially vertical direction.

The bottom plate 11 has a central portion in a width direction (Ydirection) formed with a cutout 11 a that extends in the X direction,and is divided into left and right portions. Moreover, two slits 11 band 11 c that extend in the Y direction are formed at the positions ofthe bottom plate 11 near a downstream end of the package 1 in thetransporting direction. The slits 11 b and 11 c are provided forallowing cutting blades to be described below to advance thereinto so asnot to interfere with the bottom plate 11, and are formed at apredetermined distance from each other in the X direction.

The two side plates 12 are formed in a state where inner surfacesthereof face each other, and the distance between the inner surfacesthereof is set to be slightly greater than the left-right outer size (anouter size in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction andin a left-right direction in FIG. 8) of the package 1. Thus, when thepackage 1 is transported, the positions thereof in the left-rightdirection (Y direction) are defined by the two side plates 12.

Additionally, the portion of the bottom plate 11 that is present betweenthe slits 11 b and 11 c is formed with sheet material suction holes 11 dthat are open to an upper surface of the bottom plate. In the presentexample, two sheet material suction holes 11 d are respectively providedin the bottom plate 11 on the left and right of the cutout 11 a, thatis, a total of four sheet material suction holes are provided. The sheetmaterial suction holes 11 d communicate with an air suction source (notillustrated) including, for example, a vacuum pump or the like via aflexible pipe (not illustrated).

Although only a portion of a transporting bar 20 is illustrated in FIG.1, the side geometry of the overall transporting bar 20 is illustratedin FIG. 2. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates a state where an X-Z planeincluding line B-B in FIG. 1 is viewed from a +Y direction to a −Ydirection, similar to FIGS. 3 to 5 to be described below. In order toavoid complication of the drawing, the side plates 12 and the like areappropriately omitted and only main components related to the transportof the package 1 are illustrated. As illustrated in this drawing, thetransporting bar 20 has a communication portion 20 a that extends in thetransporting direction, and sending portions 20 b and 20 c that risefrom a front end portion and a rear end portion (that is, an end portionon the downstream side in the transporting direction and an end portionon the upstream side in the transporting direction), respectively, ofthe communication portion 20 a. The transporting bar 20 is made to bemovable along the cutout 11 a within the cutout 11 a formed in thebottom plate 11 of the fixed guide 10.

An upper end of a rod 22 is fixed to the communication portion 20 a ofthe transporting bar 20 from below. The rod 22 is driven by an elevatingactuator 23 so as to be extendable and retractable in an up-downdirection (vertical direction). The elevating actuator 23 is driven by atransporting actuator 24 so as to be movable in the left-right directionin FIG. 2, that is, in the ±X direction in FIG. 1.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a cutting head elevating robot 31 is arrangedon a lateral side of the fixed guide 10. The cutting head elevatingrobot 31 moves a head connecting portion 32 up and down, and constitutesa cutting unit 30 in conjunction with a cutting head 33 connected to thehead connecting portion 32.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively a side view and a bottom viewillustrating the cutting head 33 in detail, and the cutting head 33 willbe described below with reference to these drawings. The cutting head 33has a head base 34 that is attached to the head connecting portion 32and is made movable up and down, and a packaging hold-down 35 that isarranged below the head base 34 at a distance therefrom. The cuttinghead 33 further has four holding shafts 36 that make the head base 34hold the packaging hold-down 35, shaft fixing screws 37 thatrespectively fix lower ends of the holding shafts 36 to the packaginghold-down 35, a total of four coil springs 38 that are respectivelywound on the outsides of the holding shafts 36 and are compressivelyinterposed between the packaging hold-down 35 and the head base 34, twocutting blades 39 that are arranged at a distance from each other in theX direction, and cutting blade fixing screws 40 that respectively fixupper portions of the cutting blades 39 to the head base 34.

Although the packaging hold-down 35 is formed in the shape of asubstantially quadrangular plate, a concave portion 35 a is formed in alower surface of the packaging hold-down, and hold-down surfaces 35 bthat protrude slightly downward than the concave portion 35 a are formedon the −X side and the +X side with the concave portion 35 atherebetween. Additionally, the two cutting blades 39 are arranged at adistance from each other in the X direction in the state of extending inthe Y direction, respectively. A lower end surface of each cutting blade39, that is, a surface illustrated in FIG. 7, is used as a blade surface(cutting unit), and the blade surface is particularly formed in theshape of a saw blade in the present example. The packaging hold-down 35is formed with two elongated through-holes 35 c that are respectivelyopen to the hold-down surfaces 35 b, and the two cutting blades 39 arearranged in the state of respectively being inserted into thethrough-hole 35 c. Moreover, three cut piece suction holes 35 d are openoutside the through-hole 35 c in each hold-down surface 35 b of thepackaging hold-down 35. The cut piece suction holes 35 d communicatewith an air suction source (not illustrated) including, for example, avacuum pump or the like via a flexible pipe (not illustrated).

Upper portions of the four holding shafts 36 are respectively insertedthrough through-holes 34 a formed in the head base 34. Although theholding shafts 36 are formed with an external diameter such that aholding shaft becomes substantially close to a through-hole 34 a where abearing is present, the holding shafts are made to be movable in theup-down direction, that is, the Z direction, within the through-holes 34a. An upper end of each holding shaft 36 is formed as adiameter-increased head portion. The packaging hold-down 35 is normallymaintained at positions separated to the maximum downward from the headbase 34 by the action of the four compressively interposed coil springs38, that is, at positions (positions illustrated in FIG. 6) where thehead portions of the holding shafts 36 come into contact with an uppersurface of the head base 34.

Referring back to FIG. 1, an inclined chute 50 is arranged on the+X-direction side of the fixed guide 10. The inclined chute 50 has abottom plate 51, and side plates 52 that respectively rise from left andright end portions of the bottom plate 51. A cutout 51 a that extends inthe X direction is formed in alignment with the cutout 11 a of thebottom plate 11 at a central portion of the bottom plate 51 in the widthdirection. The cross-sectional shape of the bottom plate 51 and the twoside plates 52 within a plane (within a Y-Z plane) orthogonal to thepackage transporting direction is made the same as the cross-sectionalshape of the bottom plate 11 and the side plates 12 of the fixed guide10, at an upstream end that faces the fixed guide 10. However, taperedportions in which the distance between the inner surfaces that face eachother becomes gradually shorter toward the downstream side of thepackage transporting direction are formed at halfway points of the twoside plates 52, and the distance between the inner surfaces of the twoside plates 52 is set to be narrower than the distance therebetween,nearer to a downstream side than the upstream end.

The aforementioned transporting bar 20 is made to be movable along thecutout 51 a within the cutout 51 a formed within the bottom plate 51 ofthe inclined chute 50.

Additionally, a plurality of air blowoff ports 51 b that stretch in thepackage transporting direction are formed from the vicinity in which thetapered portion is formed to the downstream end, in each of the portionsof an upper surface of the bottom plate 51 near the left and right sideplates 52. The air blowoff ports 51 b communicate with an air dischargesource (not illustrated) including, for example, a blower or the likevia a flexible pipe (not illustrated).

The inclined chute 50 is fixed onto a rocking block 53 at a positionnear an upstream end thereof. Additionally, an actuator holding member54 of which a lower end is fixed to a device body is provided on alateral side of the inclined chute 50, and a chute inclination actuator55 is attached to the holding member 54. The chute inclination actuator55 normally and reversely rotates a driving shaft 55 a by everypredetermined angle, and the rocking block 53 is fixed to the drivingshaft 55 a.

If the chute inclination actuator 55 rotates the driving shaft 55 acounterclockwise in FIG. 1, the inclined chute 50 connected to thedriving shaft 55 a via the rocking block 53 rocks in a direction inwhich the downstream end moves down, that is, in a direction of arrow Ain FIG. 1, and shifts from a horizontal state to an inclined state. Theinclined chute 50 constitutes an inclining unit in the invention inconjunction with the chute inclination actuator 55 and the rocking block53.

The rocking block 53 has a lower portion extending in the −Y directionand has a vertical wall portion 53 a that rises from the tip thereof. Asuction cup opening/closing actuator 56 is attached to the vertical wallportion 53 a. The suction cup opening/closing actuator 56 moves twomovable blocks 57 and 58, which are arranged at a distance from eachother in the up-down direction (vertical direction), so as to be broughtclose to or separated from each other. Suction cup holding members 59and 60 that extend in the +Y direction are respectively fixed to themovable blocks 57 and 58. The suction cup holding members 59 and 60 aredisposed so that front end portion thereof are respectively locatedabove and below the inclined chute 50. Suction cups 61 and 62 arerespectively held by the front end portions of the suction cup holdingmembers 59 and 60.

The suction cups 61 and 62 are formed in the shape of a funnel, forexample, using rubber or the like, and are arranged at a distance fromeach other in the up-down direction in a state where inner surfacesthereof face each other. In addition, a lower suction cup 62 is arrangedwithin the cutout 51 a formed within the bottom plate 51 of the inclinedchute 50. Air pipes 63 and 64 are respectively connected to the suctioncups 61 and 62, and the air pipes 63 and 64 are respectively held by atthe suction cup holding members 59 and 60. The air pipes 63 and 64communicate with an air suction source (not illustrated) including, forexample, a vacuum pump or the like via a flexible pipe (notillustrated). The suction cups 61 and 62 constitute a suction unit inthe invention in conjunction with the air pipes 63 and 64, the flexiblepipe, and the air suction source.

If the suction cup opening/closing actuator 56 moves the two movableblocks 57 and 58 as described above, the suction cups 61 and 62, whichare respectively held by the suction cup holding members 59 and 60 viathe air pipes 63 and 64, move so as to be brought close to or separatedfrom each other. The suction cup opening/closing actuator 56 constitutea driving unit that moves the suction cups 61 and 62, in conjunctionwith the suction cup holding members 59 and 60.

Hereinafter, the operation of the device of the present embodimenthaving the above configuration will be described. First, the package 1as illustrated in FIG. 8 is supplied to and placed on the bottom plate11 of the fixed guide 10 at the position illustrated in FIG. 2. Morespecifically, the package 1 is placed in the state of being laid overthe bottom plate 11 that is present on both the left and right sideswith the cutout 11 a therebetween. The supply of the package 1 isperformed, for example, using a chute (not illustrated) or the like.Additionally, the positions of the package 1 in the left-right direction(Y direction) on the bottom plate 11 are defined by the two side plates12 as described above.

In addition, a state where one opened (cut) package 1B (to be describedbelow) from which ends of the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 are cutwhen the supply of the package 1 is performed is already present on thebottom plate 11 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The fact that the openedpackage 1B is formed will be described below in detail.

If one package 1 is supplied as described above, the rod 22 is extendedby the elevating actuator 23, and the transporting bar 20 that ispresent at a standby position (position illustrated in FIG. 2) untilthen moves up to a position illustrated in FIG. 3. In addition, thestandby position of the transporting bar 20 is a position in a casewhere the respective upper surfaces of the sending portions 20 b and 20c of the transporting bar 20 are located below the upper surface of thebottom plate 11, and the elevating actuator 23, which is driven by thetransporting actuator 24 and moves at a predetermined stroke in theleft-right direction (±X direction) in FIG. 2, is present nearest to theright side in FIG. 2, that is, nearest to the upstream side in thepackage transporting direction.

Next, the transporting actuator 24 is driven, and the elevating actuator23 moves to the left in FIG. 3. Then, the sending portion 20 c of thetransporting bar 20 pushes the package 1 and transports the package 1 tothe left. Additionally, the opened package 1B, which is already presenton the bottom plate 11, is also pushed by the sending portion 20 b ofthe transporting bar 20, and is similarly transported to the left.

If the elevating actuator 23 comes to a position illustrated in FIG. 4,the driving of the transporting actuator 24 is stopped. In this case,the package 1 is disposed at a position (cutting processing position)where two end portions of the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 can becut by the cutting head 33 of FIG. 1. Additionally, the opened package1B pushed by the sending portion 20 b is separated from on the bottomplate 11, and is sent onto the bottom plate 51 of the inclined chute 50.The opened package 1B transported in this way is finally disposed at aposition (sheet material expansion position) where the suction cups 61and 62 are respectively present above and below the opened package andthe two packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 can be opened up and down. Inaddition, the opened package 1B is disposed in the inclined chute 50 ina state where the opened package is laid over the portions of the bottomplate 51 that are present on both sides of the cutout 51 a.

If the above state is brought about, the elevating actuator 23 is drivenand the rod 22 is retracted, and the transporting actuator 24 is drivenso as to move the elevating actuator 23 to the right in FIG. 4 contraryto the above. Accordingly, the transporting bar 20 is returned to aposition illustrated in FIG. 5, that is, the aforementioned standbyposition. The transporting bar 20 that is returned to the standbyposition in this way, stands by the following package 1 being suppliedto and placed on the bottom plate 11.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, a cutting process for thepackage 1 disposed at the cutting processing positions will bedescribed. The packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 of the package 1illustrated in FIG. 8 are cut at two cutting spots C and D illustratedin this drawing. The cutting spots C and D are linear spots as anexample, and more specifically, are spots that are respectively presentbetween a sheet material joining portion (shadowed area in this drawing)and the cartridge 2 and face each other with the cartridge 2therebetween.

The cutting processing positions of the package 1 illustrated in FIG. 4are positions where the cutting spots C and D are disposed on the slits11 c and 11 b of the bottom plate 11 respectively illustrated in FIG. 1.If the package 1 is disposed at the cutting processing positions, thecutting head elevating robot 31 illustrated in FIG. 1 is driven, and thehead connecting portion 32 moves down. Then, the cutting head 33connected to the head connecting portion 32 moves down, and the two endportions of the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 are cut by the cuttinghead 33. Hereinafter, this cutting will be described in detail.

If the cutting head 33 moves down, first, the packaging hold-down 35 isbrought into pressure contact with the package 1 from above.Accordingly, the package 1 is held down from above and below by thepackaging hold-down 35 and the bottom plate 11 of the fixed guide 10,and is maintained in a state where the package does not move. In thiscase, the cartridge 2 in the package 1 enters the concave portion 35 aof the packaging hold-down 35, and is held down from above and below bythe concave portion 35 a and the bottom plate 11. That is, the packaginghold-down 35 functions as a package fixing unit. The packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4 that are present outside the cartridge 2, that is, onthe cutting spots C and D side, are held down from above and below bythe hold-down surface 35 b of the packaging hold-down 35 and the bottomplate 11.

Additionally, after the packaging hold-down 35 is brought into pressurecontact with the package 1, air suction is performed from the four sheetmaterial suction holes 11 d of the bottom plate 11 and the six cut piecesuction holes 35 d of the packaging hold-down 35. This air suction isperformed by the aforementioned air suction source that respectivelycommunicates with the sheet material suction holes 11 d and the cutpiece suction holes 35 d. Accordingly, the substantially central portionof the packaging sheet material 4 of the package 1 is suctioned by andfixed to the four sheet material suction holes 11 d. Additionally, bothends (portions respectively outside the cutting spots C and D) of thepackaging sheet material 3 of the package 1 are respectively suctionedby and fixed to the three cut piece suction holes 35 d. The cut piecesuction holes 35 d function as a packaging sheet material fixing unit.

After the package 1 is held down between the packaging hold-down 35 andthe bottom plate 11 as above, the cutting head 33 further moves down.Then, the head base 34 moves downward relative to the holding shafts 36and the packaging hold-down 35, while compressing the four coil springs38. If the head base 34 moves down in this way, the two cutting blades39 fixed to the head base move down, and move within the through-holes35 c that are open to the hold-down surface 35 b of the packaginghold-down 35, and protrudes further downward from the hold-down surface35 b. As the two cutting blades 39 move down in this way, the packagingsheet materials 3 and 4 of the package 1 held down in a state where thepackaging sheet materials do not move are cut in the two cutting spots Cand D by the cutting blades 39.

FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically illustrate the cutting of the packagingsheet materials 3 and 4 described above. That is, the package 1 beforecutting is brought into the state as illustrated in FIG. 9, and ifcutting is performed, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the two end portions ofthe packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 are cut, and the package 1 becomesthe opened package 1B. Then, the two cut end portions of the packagingsheet materials 3 and 4 become the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b.

If the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 are cut in the spots asdescribed above, the cutting head elevating robot 31 of FIG. 1 is drivenin a direction opposite to the above-described case, and the headconnecting portion 32 moves up. Then, the cutting head 33 connected tothe head connecting portion 32 moves up, the two cutting blades 39 arefirst separated upward from the opened package 1B, and the packaginghold-down 35 is then separated upward from the opened package 1B.

In addition, if the packaging hold-down 35 is separated upward from theopened package 1B, the air suction from the four sheet material suctionholes 11 d is stopped. Then, the opened package 1B, as illustrated inFIG. 4, is brought into a state where the opened package can be pushedand transported by the sending portion 20 b of the transporting bar 20.

Meanwhile, the air suction from the cut piece suction holes 35 d of thepackaging hold-down 35 is maintained even if the packaging hold-down 35is separated upward from the opened package 1B. Thus, the two cut endportions of the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4, that is, the cutpieces 1 a and 1 b illustrated in FIG. 10, are respectively suctionedand held by the three cut piece suction holes 35 d, and are carried topositions separated upward from the fixed guide 10.

The cutting head 33 equipped with the packaging hold-downs 35 asdescribed above can also be configured as a sheet material end portiondisposal unit that sends the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b to a disposalposition and disposes of the cut pieces. That is, for example, aconfiguration is considered in which an inclined chute plate that entersunder the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b from a lateral side is provided in aplace where the cutting head 33 has moves up to the highest position ina state where the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b are suctioned and held by thecut piece suction holes 35 d of the packaging hold-down 35. According tosuch a configuration, the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b can be disposed of atthe disposal position on the inclined chute plate by stopping the airsuction from the cut piece suction holes 35 d in the place where theinclined chute plate has entered under the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b.

In such a case, it is also possible to make the cut pieces 1 a and 1 bslide on the inclined chute to send the cut pieces to a disposalposition in a more distant place. Moreover, it is also possible to sendand collect the cut pieces 1 a and 1 b, which have slid down on theinclined chute plate, to and in a container for collection or the like.

Next, a sheet material expansion process performed at a position afterthe opened package 1B is transported to the position (sheet materialexpansion position) illustrated in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 will be described.The sheet material expansion process is a process of moving the twopackaging sheet materials 3 and 4 of the opened package 1B in adirection separated from the cartridge 2, and increasing the distancebetween the two packaging sheet materials 3 and 4.

If the opened package 1B is disposed at the sheet material expansionposition on the bottom plate 51 of the inclined chute 50, the suctioncup opening/closing actuator 56 illustrated in FIG. 1 is driven, and thesuction cup holding members 59 and 60 are moved so as to be broughtclose to each other. Thus, the suction cups 61 and 62, which arerespectively attached to the suction cup holding members 59 and 60 viathe air pipes 63 and 64, are moved so as to be brought close to eachother, the suction cup 61 comes into contact with the packaging sheetmaterial 3 of the opened package 1B from above, and the suction cup 62comes into contact with the packaging sheet material 4 of the openedpackage 1B from below.

If this state is brought about, the aforementioned air suction sourcethat communicates with the suction cups 61 and 62 via the air pipe 63and 64 or the flexible pipe (not illustrated) is driven, and air suctionis respectively performed from the suction cups 61 and 62. Accordingly,the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 of the opened package 1B arerespectively suctioned and held by the suction cups 61 and 62. Next, thesuction cup opening/closing actuator 56 is driven in the directionopposite to the above case, and the suction cup holding members 59 and60 are moved so as to be separated from each other. Thus, the suctioncups 61 and 62 that are respectively attached to the suction cup holdingmembers 59 and 60 via the air pipes 63 and 64 are moved so as to beseparated from each other. Accordingly, the packaging sheet material 3of the opened package 1B is pulled upward by the suction cup 61, thepackaging sheet material 4 of the opened package 1B is pulled downwardby the suction cup 62, and the distance between the packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4 is increased. FIG. 11 schematically illustrates theopened package 1B in which the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 areformed into a tubular shape in this way.

If the above state is brought about, next, the chute inclinationactuator 55 illustrated in FIG. 1 is driven so as to rotate the drivingshaft 55 a counterclockwise in FIG. 1. Then, the inclined chute 50 rocksin the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and shifts from the horizontalstate to the inclined state as previously described. FIG. 12schematically illustrates that the inclined chute 50 shifts from thehorizontal state to the inclined state. In addition, in this case, thesuction cups 61 and 62 also move integrally with the inclined chute 50.

If the inclined chute 50 is brought into the inclined state in this way,the opened package 1B held by the suction cups 61 and 62 is also broughtinto the inclined state (that is, state where one cutting spot C is at aposition higher than the other cutting spot D), and the cartridge 2slips and falls out of the cutting spot D of the packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4. In this case, since the distance between the twopackaging sheet materials 3 and 4 is increased as described above, thecartridge 2 reliably slips and falls out from between the packagingsheet materials 3 and 4 without being caught in the packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the cartridge 2 that has slipped out frombetween the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 are positioned from leftand right by one pair of side plates 52 of the inclined chute 50, andthe cartridge is transferred in a predetermined posture on the inclinedchute 50. This transfer is performed as the cartridge 2 slides down onthe inclined chute 50 in the inclined state. In this case, a properamount of air is blown off from the plurality of air blowoff ports 51 bthat are open to the upper surface of the bottom plate 51 of theinclined chute 50. Thus, since a thin layer of this blown-off air isbrought into the state of being interposing between the bottom plate 51and the cartridge 2, the transfer of the cartridge 2 is smoothlyperformed.

In addition, the cartridge 2 transferred on the inclined chute 50 in apredetermined posture as described above, is sent to, for example, a useposition in a biochemical analysis device directly from the inclinedchute 50 or via other transfer units, and is provided for biochemicalanalysis there.

In addition, the distance between one pair of side plates 52 is madewider in order to store the opened package 1B, nearer to an upstreamside in a cartridge transfer direction than the portions of thecartridge 2 that are positioned from left and right by one pair of sideplates 52. Thus, the cartridge 2 immediately after slipping out of theopened package 1B cannot be positioned. However, since the taperedportion as described above is formed at one pair of side plates 52, thecartridge 2 is smoothly guided to a positioning portion (a portion inwhich the distance between one pair of side plates 52 becomes narrow),by the action of the tapered portion. That is, this entire portionfunctions as a contents transfer unit that transfers contents in apredetermined posture.

If the cartridge 2 is discharged from the inclined chute 50 in a statewhere the cartridge is positioned, the chute inclination actuator 55 isdriven so as to rotate the driving shaft 55 a clockwise in FIG. 1.Accordingly, the inclined chute 50 is returned from the inclined stateto the horizontal state, and stands by the following opened package 1Bbeing transported. The inclined chute 50 in this state is schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 13.

In addition, in the present device, when the opened package 1B isbrought into the inclined state, it is desirable to further provide aunit that pushes the cartridge 2 in a direction toward the lower cuttingspot D, and assists dropping of the cartridge 2 from the higher cuttingspot C. As such a drop assisting unit, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 14, an air jetting pipe 70 that generates an air jet stream andpushes the cartridge 2 with the jet stream can be applied. Moreover, asillustrated in FIG. 15, a drop assisting unit 73 equipped with arod-shaped pusher 71 and an actuator 72 that reciprocates the pusher 71and adapted to push the cartridge 2 with the pusher 71 can also beapplied. As the actuator 72, well-known actuators, such as an actuatorthat operates mechanically, an actuator that operateselectromagnetically, and an actuator that operates with compressed air,are appropriately available.

The above-described suction cup holding members 59 and 60 and suctioncups 61 and 62 can also be constituted as a sheet material centralportion disposal unit that sends the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4of the opened package 1B to the disposal position, and disposes of thepackaging sheet material. That is, for example, a configuration in whichthe suction cup holding member 59 is made reciprocable within thehorizontal plane is considered. According to such a configuration, withthe packaging sheet material 3 being suctioned and held by the uppersuction cup 61, the air suction from the lower suction cup 62 is stoppedto release the packaging sheet material 4. In that state, as the airsuction from the suction cup 61 is stopped in a place where the suctioncup holding member 59 is rotated by, for example, about 90 degrees fromthe position illustrated in FIG. 1, the packaging sheet materials 3 and4 (only central portions after cutting) held by the suction cup 61 canbe dropped to the disposal position and can be disposed of.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the cutting blades 39 ofwhich the blade surfaces are formed in the shape of a saw blade areused. However, the invention is not limited to this, and cutting bladesof which cutting surfaces are formed in the shape of a straight bladecan also be applied. Additionally, the cutting blades 39 are configuredso as to cut the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4 in the cutting spotsC and D having one linear shape. However, the shape of the cutting spotsare not limited to this, and can be variously set according to the shapeof a joining portion between the packaging sheet materials 3 and 4.

For example, a package 100 illustrated in FIG. 16 is obtained bypackaging substantially thin rectangular parallelepiped-shaped contents102, using a packaging sheet material 103 and another packaging sheetmaterial (not illustrated) that faces the packaging sheet material 103.However, a joining portion between these packaging sheet materials(hereinafter referred to as the packaging sheet material 103 and thelike) is formed in a shaded shape in this drawing. When such packagingsheet material 103 and the like of the package 1 are cut in a linearcutting spot C2 illustrated in this drawing, the opening width of thepackaging sheet material 103 and the like becomes a width represented byW2 in this drawing. In this degree of opening width W2, left and rightend portions of the contents 102 may be caught in the packaging sheetmaterial joining portion at an opening end when the contents is takenout, and the taking-out of the contents may become impossible.

In contrast, it is also considered that a cutting blade is formed in abent shape in two spots, and performs cutting in a cutting spot C1having a shape resembling the shape of the joining portion between thepackaging sheet material 103 and the like, that is, a shape along aninner end edge (an end edge where the contents 102 is present) of thejoining portion. In such a case, the opening width of the packagingsheet material 103 and the like becomes a width represented by W1 inthis drawing, and becomes wider than the opening width W2. In this way,in order to make the opening width wider, it is possible to performcutting in a shape resembling the shape of the joining portion, therebypreventing the left and right end portions of the contents 102 frombeing caught in the packaging sheet material joining portion of theopening end and more reliably performing taking-out.

Additionally, when contents to be packaged is, for example, thincolumnar contents, the shape of the inner end edge of the joiningportion between the packaging sheet materials may be a shape that formsa portion of a circular arc. Even in such a case, by adopting the shapeof the cutting spots as a shape along the circular arc, it is possibleto make the opening width of the packaging sheet materials widercompared to a case where the shape of the cutting spots is a linearshape.

Additionally, in the embodiment described above, one suction cup 61 isdisposed for one packaging sheet material 3 and another suction cup 62is disposed for another packaging sheet material 4. However, a pluralityof suction cups may be provided for one packaging sheet materialdepending on the size or the like of the packaging sheet material so asto more reliably suction and hold the packaging sheet material.

In such a case, it is preferable to arrange the plurality of suctioncups in a direction orthogonal to a direction where a cutting spot ofthe packaging sheet material extends, that is, side by side in the Xdirection in the configuration of FIG. 1. Moreover, for example, when apackaging sheet material is particularly large, a plurality of suctioncups (for example, two×two) may be arranged side by side in the Xdirection and the Y direction, respectively.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to the suction cups 61 and 62having the circular suction surfaces described above. For example, asuction unit having elongated oblong suction surfaces can also beapplied. When this type of suction unit is applied, it is preferable toarrange the major axes of the elongated suction surfaces along thecutting direction of the cutting spots of the packaging sheet materials.If such arrangement is adopted, the processing of increasing thedistance between the two packaging sheet materials near the cuttingspots is more reliably performed.

Additionally, in the method and device of the invention, it is possibleto handle packages in which the two packaging sheet materials areformed, for example, in a circular shape or a polygonal shape other thana quadrilateral shape, or packages in which contents is formed, forexample, in a thin columnar shape, a polyhedron shape, and an irregularshape other than the substantially thin rectangular parallelepipedshape.

Additionally, in the embodiment described above, the package in whichthe two packaging sheet materials are joined together by, for example,heat welding or the like in four sides around the packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4 or the packaging sheet material 103 and the like isused as a target to be handled. However, the method and the device ofthe invention can also handle packages having sheet material joiningstructures other than such a package.

For example, a package 200 illustrated in FIG. 17 is obtained by onesheet material being used as the upper and lower packaging sheetmaterials 3 and 4, the sheet material is bent at one side 201, and thepackaging sheet materials 3 and 4 being joined together by heat weldingor the like at the other three sides. In addition, in FIG. 17, theelements illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like as previously above aredesignated by the same numerals, and the duplicate description thereofare omitted. The package 200 having such a structure is also included inthe “package in which the contents to be packaged is disposed betweenthe two packaging sheet materials and the two packaging sheet materialsare joined to each other around the contents” as a target to be handledby the method and the device of the invention.

Additionally, the embodiment described above relates to the device andthe method that automatically takes out packaged contents. Although anembodiment in which the processes described above are altogetherautomatically performed is preferable, an embodiment in which a persondetermines the start of the respective processes is also included in theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic taking-out method for packagedcontents of automatically taking out the contents from a package formedby the contents to be packaged being disposed between two packagingsheet materials and the two packaging sheet materials being joined toeach other around the contents, the automatic taking-out methodcomprising: a step of holding the package in a state where the twopackaging sheet materials are located up and down with respect to eachother; a step of cutting the two packaging sheet materials in twocutting spots that are respectively present between the joining portionsand the contents and that face each other with the contentstherebetween; a step of moving at least one of suction units in adirection separated from the contents and increasing a distance betweenthe two packaging sheet materials after the two packaging sheetmaterials inside the two cutting spots are respectively suctioned andheld by the suction units; and a step of inclining the two packagingsheet materials inside the two cutting spots and the contents in a statewhere a positional deviation in an up-down direction occurs with respectto the two cutting spots, and dropping and taking the contents out ofthe two packaging sheet materials.
 2. The automatic taking-out methodfor packaged contents according to claim 1, further comprising: a stepof pushing out the contents in a drop direction when the contents isdropped.
 3. The automatic taking-out method for packaged contentsaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a step of pressing the twopackaging sheet materials from above and below to fix the two packagingsheet materials and the contents between the two packaging sheetmaterials when the cutting is performed.
 4. The automatic taking-outmethod for packaged contents according to claim 1, further comprising: astep of fixing the portions of at least one of the two packaging sheetmaterials, which are present outside the two cutting spots when thecutting is performed.
 5. The automatic taking-out method for packagedcontents according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of sending theportions of the two packaging sheet materials outside the two cuttingspots to a disposal position and disposing of the portions after thecutting is performed.
 6. The automatic taking-out method for packagedcontents according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of sending theportions of the two packaging sheet materials inside the two cuttingspots to a disposal position and disposing of the portions after thecontents is dropped and taken out.
 7. The automatic taking-out methodfor packaged contents according to claim 1, further comprising: a stepof transferring the contents taken out of the two packaging sheetmaterials in a predetermined posture.
 8. The automatic taking-out methodfor packaged contents according to claim 1, wherein the cutting spotshave a shape resembling the shape of the joining portions of thepackaging sheet materials.
 9. The automatic taking-out method forpackaged contents according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of thesuction units are used for one packaging sheet material.
 10. Theautomatic taking-out method for packaged contents according to claim 1,wherein a suction unit in which a major axis of a suction surfaceextends along a cutting direction of the cutting spots is used as thesuction unit.
 11. The automatic taking-out method for packaged contentsaccording to claim 1, wherein a plate-shaped package in which thecontents has flat surfaces, respectively, on one side and on the otherside of the two packaging sheet materials is used as a target to behandled.
 12. An automatic taking-out device for packaged contents thatautomatically takes out the contents from a package formed by thecontents to be packaged being disposed between two packaging sheetmaterials and the two packaging sheet materials being joined to eachother around the contents, the automatic taking-out device comprising: apackage holding unit that holds the package in a state where the twopackaging sheet materials are located up and down with respect to eachother; a cutting unit that cuts the two packaging sheet materials of thepackage in a held state in two cutting spots that are respectivelypresent between the joining portions and the contents and that face eachother with the contents therebetween; a pair of suction units thatrespectively suction and hold the two packaging sheet materials insidethe two cutting spots; a driving unit that moves at least one of thepair of suction units in a direction separated from the contents; and aninclining unit that inclines the two packaging sheet materials insidethe two cutting spots and the contents in a state where a positionaldeviation in an up-down direction occurs with respect to the two cuttingspots, and drops and takes the contents out of the two packaging sheetmaterials.
 13. The automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to claim 12, further comprising: a drop assisting unit thatpushes the contents in a direction toward a lower cutting spot from anupper cutting spot when the two packaging sheet materials and thecontents is inclined by the inclining unit.
 14. The automatic taking-outdevice for packaged contents according to claim 13, wherein the dropassisting unit pushes the contents with an air jet stream.
 15. Theautomatic taking-out device for packaged contents according to claim 13,wherein the drop assisting unit pushes the contents using a pusher thatreciprocates.
 16. The automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to claim 12, further comprising: a package fixing unit thatpresses the two packaging sheet materials from above and below to fixthe two packaging sheet materials and the contents between the twopackaging sheet materials when the cutting using the cutting unit isperformed.
 17. The automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to claim 12, further comprising: a packaging sheet materialfixing unit that fixes the portions of at least one of the two packagingsheet materials, which are present outside the two cutting spots whenthe cutting is performed.
 18. The automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to claim 12, further comprising: a sheetmaterial end portion disposal unit that sends the portions of the twopackaging sheet materials outside the two cutting spots to a disposalposition and disposes of the portions after the cutting is performed.19. The automatic taking-out device for packaged contents according toclaim 12, further comprising: a sheet material central portion disposalunit that sends the portions of the two packaging sheet materials insidethe two cutting spots to a disposal position, and disposes of theportions after the contents fall out of the two packaging sheetmaterials.
 20. The automatic taking-out device for packaged contentsaccording to claim 12, further comprising: a contents transfer unit thattransfers the contents taken out of the two packaging sheet materials ina predetermined posture.
 21. The automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to claim 12, wherein the cutting unitperforms the cutting in cutting spots having a shape resembling theshape of the joining portions of the packaging sheet materials.
 22. Theautomatic taking-out device for packaged contents according to claim 12,wherein the cutting unit is a cutting unit having a saw blade shape. 23.The automatic taking-out device for packaged contents according to claim12, wherein a plurality of the suction units are provided for onepackaging sheet material.
 24. The automatic taking-out device forpackaged contents according to claim 23, wherein the plurality ofsuction units are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to acutting direction of the cutting spots.
 25. The automatic taking-outdevice for packaged contents according to claim 12, wherein the suctionunit is a suction unit in which a major axis of a suction surfaceextends along a cutting direction of the cutting spots.